New exercise pill mimics the effects of running a 10K — without effort
Talk about a lazy workout.
Researchers in Denmark have developed a new drug that mimics the effects and b🎃enefits of strenuous exercise without moving a muscle.
The study, publ✨ished in the , maintains t꧂hat the drug produces the same health benefits as running a long dist♎ance at a fast clip.
Currently called LaKe, the drug has been shown in lab rats to flush toxins and str🐠engthen the heart.
“We’ve developed a molecule that can mimic the body’s natural metabolic response to strenuous exercise and fasting,” Dr. Thomas Poulsen, a chemist at Aarhus University who led the research, said. “In practice, the molecule brings the body into a metabolic state corresponding to running 10 kilometers at high speed on an empty stomach.”
Following ▨exercise, the body typically enters a period of inflammation wherein levels of lactate and ketones spike.
In addition to triggering the release of appetite-suppressing hormones, this spike also flushes fatty acids from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of conditions like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes and precipitating the body’s repair systems.
According to the , one-third of U.S. adults have three or more risk factors 𓆏that contribute to heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
The release of lactate helps maintain metabolic function. Meanwhile, ketone is p🌌roduced by the liver and kicks in anytime the body begins to convert fat into energy: after long periods of exertion, during fasting, or when there is a carbohydrate deficit.
Researchers say LaKe can safely and effectively control the amount🍬s of lactate and ketones produced by the body.
“It can be difficult to maintain motivation to run many kilometers at high speed and go without food,” Poulsen explained. LaKe promises to deliver the benefits without the difficulty of exertion, which could be a game changer for those with injuries or compromised health.
“‘For people with physical ailments, such as a weak heart or general weakness, a nutritional supplement can be the key to better recovery,” Poulsen said.
LaKe will soon undergo human trials to determine its safety and efficacy. If successful, the molecule could b༺e developed a🧜nd marketed for humans.
